Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture has today Tuesday, 14th December, 2021 allocated another 100 Hectares of planted cassava lands to beneficaries of Batch C Anchor Borrowers' Programme at Ipagbonrin, Imeko Afon Local Government Area.
Recall that the first set of 100 beneficiaries in Batch C received their land allocation by the State Government at Ikenne Farm Settlement in Ikenne Local Government Area, last September.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Dotun Sorunke said, the lands allocated were provided and cleared mechanically by the State Government, while the Central Bank of NIgeria (CBN) and Cassava Growers Association ploughed, harrowed and planted the fields for Ogun State Government nominees under CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme.
Dr. Odedina disclosed further that the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has mandated Ogun State Agricultural Development Project (OGADEP) to provide supplementary Extension Services Management of the farms to the beneficaries and release of money under the loan agreement lies between CBN and NCGA.
He assured the farmers of ready off-takers who will buy the cassava tubers after harvest and that Ogun State Government and the Ministry of Agriculture would continue to monitor and give necessary supports to the
beneficiaries, advising them to forward any grievance through the channel provided by CBN under the loan agreement.
"The Government has mandated Ogun State Agricultural Development Project (OGADEP) to provide supplementary Extension Services
Management of the farms and release of money under the loan agreement lies between CBN and NCGA. Beneficiaries should continue to channel any grievances through the channel provided by CBN under the loan agreement", he said.
He charged the youths to let others know that the opportunity was not limited to cassava cultivation but other crops, calling on more youths to leverage on the opportunity as the future of Nigerian economy depends on Agriculture.
Addressing the participants, the Special Assistant on Agriculture, Dr (Mrs) Angel Adelaja-Kuye applauded Governor Dapo Abiodun whose conscious efforts at reviving the State economy through agriculture has empowered many youths through agriculture, noting that everybody can benefit from the empowerment opportunities.
Also speaking, the Chief Whip, Imeko-Afon Local Government, Hon. Jelili Akingbade, who is also a farmer, advised the beneficaries to take good care of the farms allocated to them for maximum yields and should be faithful at refunding the loans granted them by CBN so as to earn greater opportunities in the nearest future.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficaries, Mr. Bankole Joseph expressed joy and thanked Government for the gesture, saying, "this will surely boost food production in the State."
Highlight of the event was the presentation of Awards of Excellence to the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Dotun Sorunke and the Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture, Dr. Angel Adelaja-Kuye.
Other dignitaries at the event were Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture, Hon. Tolu Bankole, the Secretary, Anchor Borrowers' Steering Committee, Deaconess Taiwo Ayansanwo, representative of the Chairman, Imeko-Afon Local Government, Alhaja Fausat Adebayo, Farmers' Coordinator, Chief Abdulazeez Ishmael and a host of others.
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